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Ghana battled the USA in a pulsating game ending 1-1. The Ghanaian girls drew first blood on the 7th minute through a thunderous thirty yarder by diminutive midfielder Cudjoe ,one to be rivalled by the likes of the Netherland's Wesley Snijder.

The game went into top gear with Ghana doing most of the attack, spear headed by captain Mercy Myles who was pulled out on the 35th minute due to illness and was sustituted by my woman of the match(arguably), Addo- the tormentor in chief of the Ghanaian side, who also dazzled and entertained the teeming fans with some scintillating foot work and mesemerizing runs.
The USA equalized on the 70th min through a Sydney Leroux effort,assisted by Maya Hayes who tormented the Ghanaian defence with her speed on the flanks.

The game became a ding-dong affair with both sides taking intermittent possession of eachothers midfield until the 90th minute, when the USA took over the Ghanaian midifield,forcing goalkeeper Mantey to pull a brilliant save from Verloo's powerful long ranger.Exhaustion was visible as the Ghanaians struggled to contain the USA raids on their defence. With just 1 minute left of the 5min time added on, Ghana's Florence Dadson,pounced on a loose ball with a second to spare and managed to unleash a cracker of a shot which was intelligently and courageously save by the USA goalie.

As the referee blew her whistle for of the game, the crest fallen defending champions-team USA, walked off the field wondering what could have been although satisfied with a point from this difficult game. The Ghanaians however gave a good account of themselves with a stellar performance, a performance they will have to top in their next game against the Republic of Korea.

The high tempo, excitement and the level of discipline by the players involved in this game will definitely make this USA v Ghana match up the most exciting yet at this competition.

Ghana did their part in the hopes of reaching the knockout rounds of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany, beating Switzerland 2-0 in Bochum. However, Group D winners the USA bested Korea Republic in the other match in the section, sending both the pointless and goalless Swiss home along with the determined and stylish west Africans.

Ghana began the game in lively fashion with Florence Dadson getting hold of the ball in the first minute of play. She fired a chipped shot from near midfield that had the Swiss goalkeeper scrambling, but ended up sailing harmlessly over the bar.

The Swiss hauled themselves back into the game with Ana Crnogorcevic and Samira Susuri both going close, only to be denied by keeper Patricia Mantey and wayward finishing respectively. The Europeans looked the faster of the two teams as the first half wore on, but the Ghanaians were putting together some stylish passes and bossing midfield.

On 31 minutes, the Africans put their possession to work. Elizabeth Cudjoe’s free-kick from the left was volleyed home extravagantly by outstanding playmaker and captain Elizabeth Addo. Just 11 minutes later, they made it 2-0. Edem Atovor’s long pass picked out Cudjoe who slotted easily past Pascale Kueffer.

Ghana continued to dictate the patterns in the second period, but were unable to add to their lead. The Swiss kept the Ghanaian rearguard busy with some snappy countre-attacking, but in the end the game finished 2-0 for Ghana, who go out of the competition with four points from their three Group D games. The Swiss will be less buoyed by their time in Germany, picking up zero points from their clashes.

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow. ~Aesop

Ignorance can be educated,drunkenness sobered,craziness medicated but there is no cure for STUPIDITY

Nigeria beats Colombia 1-0 to advance to historic final ofU20 Women's World Cup

Nigeria became the first African team to reach the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final as they overcame Columbia with a 2nd-minute goal in Bielefeld. They now face Germany in the same stadium on Sunday, the host nation easing past Korea Republic to give themsleves a chance to lift the trophy for the second time.

Congrats to our African reps.

Last edited by Pope Bitterz D'Alomo; 29th July 2010 at 07:53 PM.

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow. ~Aesop

Ignorance can be educated,drunkenness sobered,craziness medicated but there is no cure for STUPIDITY

Germany became the first host nation to lift the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup as an early goal from their penalty-box princess, Alexandra Popp, and a late own goal earned them a 2-0 victory over Nigeria. It was Popp's 10th goal of the tournament and means she wins the addidas Golden Shoe for top markswoman at Germany 2010 while also becoming joint top scorer in all five editions.

It is the second time Germany have lifted this crown - they were also champions in Thailand in 2004 - and it was fully deserved as they wrapped up their sixth successive victory. While Nigeria were wonderfully spirited and never gave up, the home team should have made it easier for the capacity crowd in Bielefeld with a second goal before finally they put the issue beyond doubt in injury time.

Germany have made a habit of scoring early goals in this tournament and they made sure the final was no exception. In the eighth minute the ball was hit long and high from the right-back position and Popp flicked it on. Dzsenifer Marozsan, standing behind her, cushioned the ball before feeding a simple square pass for Germany's prolific number 11 to run onto. Her surge took her past Joy Jegede and a shot towards the far corner comfortably beat goalkeeper Alaba Jonathan.

With Nigeria - the first African team to appear in the final of any FIFA Women’s World Cup or Olympic Games - still coming to grips with the game, Kim Kulig came desperately close with a direct free-kick which just skimmed the bar. But the Nigeria are a very resolute outfit and any thoughts the home crowd may have entertained about this being a formality after the early goal were swiftly dispelled as the Falconets raised their level and intensity impressively.

Ebere Orji had been their best player so far and when she picked up possession down the right in plenty of space she elected to take it on herself. The angle was tight but the shot was powerful and Almuth Schult elected to turn it over.

Nigeria were now full of belief and after Helen Ukaonu had been crowded out the ball fell nicely for Desire Oparanozie who was only inches wide as she attempted to curl the ball in from her position to the left of goal.

Germany were almost gifted a second goal to take into half-time when Jonathan kicked the ball straight to Sylvia Arnold who shot towards the left-hand corner. The keeper made amends with the save.

Nigeria continued in the same vein, winning some vital midfield challenges and forcing Germany back with their strength. Yet it was the home side who had the best openings.

Popp might have added to her total on two occasions as Svenja Huth picked her out with crosses. The first she couldn't keep on target, the second ballooned off her chest and Jonathan was forced to claw it out from beneath her crossbar. At the other end Oparanozie was a constant menace with her physical attributes but the Nigerians’ final ball let them down.

Germany remained in charge: Marina Hegering firing too high while Huth's shot forced a fingertip save and substitute Stefanie Mirlach demanded that Jonathan push this one over the top.

The game finished with Germany well on top, Kulig scuffing a shot against the post. Then in added time the home side forced two corners and from the second Kulig headed powerfully towards goal. It came back off the post and unfortunately for Osinachi Ohale it hit her on the back before crossing the line.

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow. ~Aesop

Ignorance can be educated,drunkenness sobered,craziness medicated but there is no cure for STUPIDITY